Sony Unveils High-Resolution SPAD Depth Sensor for Automotive LiDAR

Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation has announced the upcoming release of the IMX479 stacked, direct Time of Flight (dToF) SPAD depth sensor for automotive LiDAR systems, announced in a press release. This new sensor is designed to deliver high-resolution and high-speed performance, crucial for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and automated driving (AD).

The IMX479 sensor employs a dToF pixel unit composed of 3×3 SPAD pixels to enhance measurement accuracy using a line scan methodology. It achieves a frame rate of up to 20 fps, the fastest for a high-resolution SPAD depth sensor with 520 dToF pixels. This performance is made possible by integrating newly developed distance measurement circuits and dToF pixels on a single chip.

The sensor's design includes a back-side illuminated, stacked structure with Cu-Cu connections, enabling a small pixel size of 10 μm square. This allows for excellent distance resolution of 5 cm intervals and a high photon detection efficiency of 37%, enabling detection of objects up to 300 meters away even in bright light conditions.

Sample shipments of the IMX479 are planned for Autumn 2025, with a sample price of ¥35,000, including tax.